A smoke alarm helped prevent a tragedy this morning when fire broke out in a house in Hixson. Donald Gunner told firefighters he was asleep when the smoke alarm went off, alerting him to a fire in the basement.

Gunner got out of the house and called 911. Chattanooga firefighters received the alarm at 5:25 a.m. and rushed to 1325 Gadd Road.

Battalion Chief Bob Dixon said the firefighters were able to contain most of the fire damage to the basement, though the rest of the house sustained some smoke damage. The dollar loss was estimated at $20,000. No injuries were reported.

Senior Firefighter Andrew Waters with the Fire Investigation Division said the cause of the fire appears to be accidental, most likely from an electrical malfunction. Volunteers with the Chattanooga chapter of the American Red Cross provided assistance, including a temporary place to stay for Gunner.